Abstract: A building settling detection system having at least one sensor configured between a guide rail track of an elevator system and a pit of the elevator system and a controller in communication with the at least one sensor, the controller configured to monitor an output of the at least one sensor and transmit a notification to a remote location when the output of the at least one sensor meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold indicating that the predetermined threshold is met or exceeded.

Abstract: Elevator access systems having an access control module operably connected to an elevator system and an access device located within the access control module and removable therefrom, wherein when the access device is within the access control module a normal mode of operation of the elevator system is activated and when the access device is removed from the access control module, the elevator system enters a safety mode of operation.

Abstract: Elevator overrun systems having a first body arranged to be fixedly mounted to a portion of an elevator system or elevator shaft, a second body positioned within the first body and moveable from a deployed state to a retracted state relative to the first body, and a limit switch located at a distal end of the second body, the limit switch configured to interact with a component of an elevator system to prevent movement of an elevator car.

Abstract: A self-diagnostic circuit includes an electrical conductor configured to multiplex, a first switch interposing the electrical conductor, and a first module crossing the first switch. The first module includes a first receptor antenna associated with the conductor on one side of the first switch, a first emitter antenna associated with the conductor on an opposite side of the first switch, and a first interfacing microprocessor. The first interfacing microprocessor is configured to receive no signal from the first receptor antenna when the first switch is open thus generating a first open signal and a first address signal indicative of the first module and outputting the first open signal and the first address signal to the conductor via the first emitter antenna.

Abstract: Elevator systems having a first guide rail and a second guide rail, an overtravel feature on at least one of the first or second guide rails, the overtravel feature located a first distance from a top surface of the respective guide rail, an elevator car moveable along the first and second guide rails, the elevator car including a car guidance element, and a control unit configured to perform an overtravel distance test. The control unit is configured to measure a second distance being a distance of travel of the elevator car between a landing position and a location of the overtravel feature, combine the first distance and the second distance to calculate a measured overtravel distance, and compare the measured overtravel distance with a predetermined overtravel setpoint.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a hoistway; and an elevator car (12) disposed in and drivable along the hoistway, the elevator car including: an elevator car door (38); an elevator door motor (40) operably connected to the elevator car door to selectably open and close the elevator car door; and a door motor brake (52) disposed at the elevator car door and selectably engageable with the elevator door motor to prevent operation of the elevator door motor thus preventing undesired opening and/or closure of the elevator car door.

Abstract: A visual communication system (28) for an elevator car (22) of an elevator system (20) includes a voice recognition module (34) configured to recognize a first voice communication (56) originating from a source (30) remotely located from the elevator car (22) and generate a text message (52). The text message is transmitted to a text display (36) located in the elevator car (22) for viewing by an elevator car passenger (24).

Abstract: A testing arrangement (36) for testing the operability of at least one safety sensor (21, 22, 23, 26, 28) connected to the safety chain (30) of an elevator system (1), the testing arrangement (36) comprises: at least one test circuit (34) for testing the operability of the at least one safety sensor (21, 22, 23, 26, 28); and at least one testing relay (32, 33). The testing relay (32, 33) is switchable between an operational position and a test position and it is configured for electrically connecting the at least one safety sensor (21, 22, 23, 26, 28) to the safety chain (30) in the operational position and for electrically connecting the at least one safety sensor (21, 22, 23, 26, 28) to the test circuit (34) in the test position.

Abstract: A hoistway landing door locking system includes an elevator shaft and an elevator car disposed within the elevator shaft and moveable therein between a plurality of access openings located at a plurality of levels of the elevator shaft. Also included is a mechanical locking assembly disposed proximate at least one of the access openings, the mechanical locking assembly operable to switch the access opening between a locked condition and an unlocked condition. Further included is an electromagnetic locking assembly operable between an energized condition and an unenergized condition, wherein the energized condition is required to switch the mechanical locking assembly from the locked condition to the unlocked condition.

Abstract: A building settling detection system having at least one sensor configured between a guide rail track of an elevator system and a pit of the elevator system and a controller in communication with the at least one sensor, the controller configured to monitor an output of the at least one sensor and transmit a notification to a remote location when the output of the at least one sensor meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold indicating that the predetermined threshold is met or exceeded.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a primary power source configured to generate a first power. An elevator car includes an energy sub-system embedded therein. The energy sub-system is in electrical communication with the primary power source to buffer the first power and to generate a second power for powering a drive sub-system that drives the elevator car.

Abstract: An example elevator brake includes a first braking member that is biased by a first spring member into engagement with a braking surface. The first braking member includes a first armature arranged to be actuated by an electromagnetic actuator to disengage the first braking member from the braking surface against the biasing force of the first spring member. A second braking member is biased by a second spring member into engagement with a braking surface. The second braking member includes a second armature arranged to be actuated by an electromagnetic actuator to disengage the second braking member against the biasing force of the second spring member. A first electromagnetic actuator actuates the first armature and a second electromagnetic actuator actuates the second armature.

Abstract: An exemplary method is useful for controlling movement of an elevator car in an elevator system that includes a machine that selectively moves the elevator car and a machine brake that selectively resists movement of the elevator car. The method includes determining whether the elevator car is near a landing and determining whether a door of the elevator car is open. A desired operation includes desired movement of the elevator car while the elevator car is near the landing and the door is open. A determination is made whether the elevator car moves other than according to the desired movement. The machine brake is applied for stopping movement of the elevator car responsive to elevator car movement other than the desired movement while the elevator car is near the landing and the door is open.

Abstract: An elevator system comprises a hoistway (4), an elevator car (2) arranged to move vertically within the hoistway and a drive machine (10) arranged in the hoistway outside the travel path of the car (2) or vertical projection thereof. The car (2) is coupled to the machine (10) by a rope (18) which is guided by a pair of idler sheaves (26, 28) so as to pass under the car (2). The idler sheaves (26, 28) have a diameter of less than 120 mm. The disclosed arrangement allows both overhead space and pit depth to be minimised.

Abstract: An example elevator brake includes a first braking member that is biased by a first spring member into engagement with a braking surface. The first braking member includes a first armature arranged to be actuated by an electromagnetic actuator to disengage the first braking member from the braking surface against the biasing force of the first spring member. A second braking member is biased by a second spring member into engagement with a braking surface. The second braking member includes a second armature arranged to be actuated by an electromagnetic actuator to disengage the second braking member against the biasing force of the second spring member. A first electromagnetic actuator actuates the first armature and a second electromagnetic actuator actuates the second armature.

Abstract: A control arrangement (100) for an elevator brake, comprises a control circuit (110) adapted to generate, according to a demand for releasing a first braking member of the elevator brake, a first actuating signal and to generate, according to a demand for releasing a second braking member of the elevator brake, a second actuating signal; a first terminal (112) for outputting the first actuating signal to a first electromagnetic actuating means (26) of the elevator brake, a second terminal for outputting the second actuating signal to a second electromagnetic actuating means (30) of the elevator brake; the control arrangement (100) being adapted to allow at least the following modes of operation: A) a normal operation mode in which the first and the second actuating signals are supplied synchronously to the first and second electromagnetic actuation means (26, 30), respectively, and B) a single braking member test operation mode, in which one of the first and second actuating signals is supplied to the respect

Abstract: An exemplary method is useful for controlling movement of an elevator car in an elevator system that includes a machine that selectively moves the elevator car and a machine brake that selectively resists movement of the elevator car. The method includes determining whether the elevator car is near a landing and determining whether a door of the elevator car is open. A desired operation includes desired movement of the elevator car while the elevator car is near the landing and the door is open. A determination is made whether the elevator car moves other than according to the desired movement. The machine brake is applied for stopping movement of the elevator car responsive to elevator car movement other than the desired movement while the elevator car is near the landing and the door is open.

Abstract: An elevator car includes a foldable handrail mounted on top of the car. Safety switches are associated with the foldable handrail including a first safety switch and a second safety switch. The first safety switch is closed only when the handrail is folded in a fully retracted position. The second safety switch is closed when the handrail is unfolded in a fully deployed position. A safety chain is associated with the first and second safety switches for supplying power to an elevator drive system in a normal operation or an inspection operation depending on the state of the first and second safety switches.

Abstract: The elevator has a car movable vertically within a shaft between lower and upper end positions and a drive system coupled to a traction system for controlling movement of the car. A limit switch which is open when the car is in a selected distance range from one of the end positions. The limit switch forms part of a power line supplying power to the drive system for controlling movement of the car in a direction towards that end position in an inspection operation. Thus movement of the car is prevented only in that direction when the car is in the selected distance range in an inspection operation.

Abstract: An elevator assembly (20) includes braking devices (30) for controlling movement of an elevator car (22). A braking device (30) includes an electrical actuator (62) for controlling relative movement between a carriage (42) and a base (40) that is mountable on the elevator car (22). Relative movement between the carriage (42) and the base (40) results in at least one braking member (46) following a surface (60) on the base (40) for movement between a released position and a braking position.